Davenport bed



S. A. GREEN DAVENPORT BED Feb. 17, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 21,1951 jfarz] A. Green,

(Ittorneg S. A. GREEN DAVENPORT BED Feb. 17, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledApril 21, 1951 Feb. 17, 1953 4 sheets-sheet s inventor SfanleyA. Green,

Feb. 17, 1953 s. A. GREEN 2,623,367

DAVENPORT BED Filed April 21, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I FJ'QJZ.

18 n enton I SfdDZQ A. Green, 15 23 Gttorneg Patented Feb. 17, 1953UNITED STATES DAVENPORT BED Stanley A. Green, Buffalo, N. Y., assignorto Hill- Mar Industries Inc., Buffalo, N. Y., a corporation of New YorkApplication April 21, 1951, Serial No. 222,241

16 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in articles of furniture of thetype which have come to be known as davenport beds, that is to say astructure having movable mattress supporting frames which may berelatively folded or extended to provide for either davenport or bedphases of use.

The objects are to provide for maximum ease and facility in theconversion of the article from either phase to the other; to promote amaximum degree of comfort in the use of the article in either phase; toprovide a combination of mechanical features which includes the movablemattress supporting frames and is characterized by extreme simplicityand manufacturing economy; and to provide for the permanent associationwith the movable supporting frames of mattress sections in anarrangement whereby in the davenport phase they are respectively usedfor the direct support of seat cushions and of an upholstered backelement and in the bed phase are in adjoining coplanar relation toprovide a mattress of substantially the same width as the mattress of astandard double bed.

The invention, generally stated, consists in sundry novel features ofconstruction, relation and operation pertaining to the mattresssupporting frames and means for their support in either phase of use andtheir guidance during the conversion from either phase to the other.These features will be set forth in detail as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a view in side elevation which assumes, for the purpose ofclarity of illustration, the removal of an end wall of the main frame ofthe structure and which shows the parts in davenport relation, certainparts being broken away to enable the illustration of detail features.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure l and with the same assumption asin Figure 1, and shows the parts at the limit of their extension as astep in the conversion of the article from the davenport phase to thebed phase.

Figure 3 is a plan view showing the parts extended as in Figure 2, themattress sections and the back element being removed in order to promoteclarity of illustration.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of in the davenport phase.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the article in the bed phase.

Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line E6 of Figure 1, looking in thedirection of the ar rows.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary plan view showing details of the mounting of ahinged panel which provided at the front of the structure and is usedfor the control of certain latching features.

the article Figure 8 is an elevation of the hinged panel shown in Figure'7, looking at its inner face, the panel being partly broken away toaccord with the limitation of drawing space.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary elevation of a pair of associated guidechannels, such channels being provided at each end of the structure andthe elevation being of those portions of the channels which are inadjoining relation and assuming that the article is in the bed phase.

Figure 10 is a perspective view, partly in sec tion, and partly brokenaway, of a latching mechanism in its operative combination with thehinged panel shown in Figures 7 and 8, this figure assuming therelationship of the parts which is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary perspective view showing elements of thelatching mechanism which are in cooperation when the parts are in vthemattress sections in extended relation, this figure showing in detailwhat may be called a hinged connection between them.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the mattresssections in extended and co-planar relation, one of the mattresssections being partly broken away to permit the illustration of detailsof the connection betweenthe mattress sections and of the connectionsbetween one of the mattress sections and its supporting frame.

Figure 15 is a vertical sectional view on the line i5-i5 of Figure 1looking in the direction of the arrows.

The supporting element of the structure includes a back frame I ofgenerally rectangular outline and end walls 2. The frame I carries atransversely extending top rail 3 and each end wall 2 carries an endrail 4 and a front rail 5. The end walls 2 are connected and mutuallybraced by the frame I and also by a transversely extending member 5. Thevertical end bars of the frame I provide a pair of rear supporting legsI and the front rails 5 provide a pair of front supporting legs 8. Thestructure includes an upholstered back element 9 which in respect to itsframe, spring and upholstery features may be of any suitable standard orknown construction and, therefore, requires no illustration in detail.

The outer faces of all parts of the stationary supporting element, 1.e., the faces which would otherwise be exposed to view, are, as shown inFigure 4, for the purpose of attractive appearance, preferably coveredwith finishing material of a kind and color which will match the seatcushions and the upholstered back element 9.

suitable character.

The element 9 is provided with end wings in which are arranged above therails 4 as best shown in Figures 4 and 5 and normally rest againstsupporting blocks ll (Figures 2 and 12) arranged between the rails 3 and4 and secured to the vertical end bars of the frame i. The element 9 isconnected to the rail 3 by suitable hinges 52 which are attached to thewings iii. Thereby the element 9 may have a normal low cred position inwhich its wings I53 rest against and receive support from the blocks I lor a raised position as shown by broken lines in Figure 2, the backelement being moved manually to its raised position prior to theconversion of the article from either phase of use to the other andthereafter, in either phase of use of the article, being returnedmanually to its normal position. The blocks I i are co-planar with theside walls 2 and may be considered as functional parts or extensions ofthe side walls. Their front faces i is against which the wings itnormally rest are forwardly and downwardly inclined in conformity to thedetermined angle at which the back element e is supported. Means isprovided for stably holding the back element in its raised position.Such means may be provided at either or both ends of the element and maybe of any As shown it consists of links !3 and I4, pivotally connectedat their lower ends as at E5, the link !3 being pivotally connected atits upper end as at [6 to the block ll adjacent its inner face and thelink [4 being pivotally connected at its upper end as at H to the Wingit adjacent its inner face. The pivotal connection i5 between the links[3 and [4 may be of any suitable and well known construction which willcause the overlying terminal portions of the link to bear with suchdegree of frictional pressure against one another as will insure thestable retention of the back element in either of its positions. Suchpivotal connections usually include springe and frictional washerfeatures and are so well known that the illustration of their details isnot required.

According to the invention the structure includes two rectangular innerand outer mattress supporting frames I3 and H3. The inner frame 18includes side bars 253 and end bars 2| and the outer frame as includesside bars 22 and end bars 23, the several frame bars being convenientlyand preferably of angle iron cross section. The side bars are at rightangles to the walls 2 and the end bars are parallel to them. Where, asshown, the mattress is to be substantially of double bed width the frameI8 is preferably somewhat narrower than the frame IS in order that itmay conform to the standard height and eleva tion of the back element 5in the davenport phase of use, as will be later described in detail.Each of the frames It and 59 carries a mattress supporting fabric 24which may be of any suitable known construction.

As shown and preferred the mattress includes sections 25 and 25 whichare respectively associated with and supported by the frames 18 and I9and may be of any suitable construction, preferably that which includescushioning springs (unnecessary to illustrate). The outer vertical f aceof the mattress section 26 which would otherwise be exposed to view ispreferably covered with a strip of finishing material which matches thefinishing material used for the rest of the structure. As extended inco-planar relation in the bed. phase (Figure 2) the sections 25 and 23adjoin and provide a mattress which, as assumed in the drawings, may beof substantially the same width as the mattress of a standard doublebed. In the conversion of the structure from either phase of use to theother the mattress section 26 is immovable relatively to its supportingframe it. For this purpose the section 25 is suitably attached to theframe is. This attachment is preferably and conveniently made by meansof a suitable number, e. g. of tie tapes 2? (Figures 14 and 15) whichare determinately spaced from one another. Each tie tape is stitched atone end to the inner vertical face of the section 2% and its free end ispassed through an opening 28 in the horizontal flange of the inner idebar 222 of the frame 19. The tie tape is looped about the verticalflange of the inner side bar 22 and its free end is secured to the bodyof the tie tape by a suitable fastener 2, e. a standard ball and socketfastener, one member of which is carried by the tape at its free end andthe other member of which is carried by the body of the tape adjacentits point of attachment to the mattress Whenever, for any reason, it maybe desired to remove the mattress section as from its supporting frame39 the elements of the fasteners 29 are disengaged, whereupon thesection 26 may be freely lifted from the frame is. Whereas the mattresssection 25 is immovable relative to its supporting frame 19 the mattresssection 25, during the conversion of the structure from either phase ofuse to the other, is preferably slidable upon its supporting frame it,its sliding move ment being in a fore and aft direction, i. e., in thedirection of the end bars iii of the frame H8.

The mattress sections 25 and 26 are preferably in connected relationwhereby during the conversion from either phase to the other they mayhave relative swinging movements. For this purpose the connectionbetween these sections is in the nature of a hinge, so to speak, and mayconveniently be of the construction shown in Figures 13 and 14. Thus theconnection may consist of a flexible strip 33 which is bent upon itselfalong its center line as at 3! to provide leaves 32 which are locatedbetween the adjacent faces of the mattress sections and in each instanceare attached by stitching to the adjacent mattress section, the strip 39being coextensive in length with the mattress sections. The bow portion3| of the bent and stitched strip 35 serves as a hinge axis whereby thesections, remaining in connected relation, may move angularly withrespect to one another during the conversion of the structure fromeither phase of use to the other.

In the davenport phase the inner portion of the outer mattress section26 extends under the inner side face of the inner mattress section 25and provides bottom support for the inner mattress section.

The mattress supporting frames i3 and is are hingedly connected, thehinge connections 33 being provided between the adjacent side bars 2i!and 22 and conveniently comprising lugs arranged in pairs and projectingfrom the vertical flanges of the bars and hinge pins fitted in the lugs.By virtue of the inge connections 33 the frame i9 is utilized in bothphases to provide support for the frame iii.

The frames 13 and It as connected by the hinges 33 are employed incombination with means for their support and guidance which iseperatively connected to the supporting element and to the frames and isoperative at all times within the confines of the supporting element.

This means dictates the novel and advantageous relationship (to bepresently described) of the hingedly connected frames l8 and I9 in bothphases and their novel and advantageous relative movements duringconversion from either phase to the other. The embodiment of the meansfor the support and guidance of the frames which is shown and preferredconsists of stationary guides of channel cross section for each framewhich have novel forms and arrangement and rollers carried by each framewhich track in the channels of the companion guides.

The guides 34 for the frame 18 are attached to the side walls 2(including the blocks I) and are positioned adjacent the back frame I.These guides are similarly formed and arranged in confronting relationand have straight components 35 which at their lower ends merge intoforwardly and downwardly extending curved components 3%. ends adjoin theback frame I and from their upper ends are inclined at a suitable angleto the perpendicular in a forward and downward direction. The end bars22 of the frame I8 carry rollers 31 which track in the guide rails 34and are located adjacent the outer ends of the bars 2|. Thereby in thedavenport phase they are adjacent the then upper side of the frame I8and in the bed phase are adjacent the then rear side of the frame 8. Thechannels of the guides 34 are closed at their lower ends by blocks 38(Figure 9) which provide stops for engagement by the rollers 31, therebypositively to limit the extension of the sections in the conversion tothe bed phase.

The guides 39 for the frame it are attached to the side walls 2 and aresimilarly formed and arranged in confronting relation, being straightand extending at a slight degree of angularity in a rearward anddownward direction from points adjacent the front rails 5 to pointssuitably beyond the forwardly located lower ends of the guides 35. Thelower ends of the guides 34 are immediately above, and in adjoiningrelation to, the guides 39. The front ends of the guides 39 are locatedin a common horizontal plane with the lower ends of the guides 34 asindicated by the broken line X in Figure 1. The end bars 23 of the frame19 carry rollers 40 located at their rear or inner ends and which trackin the guide rails 39, thereby at all times providing support for theframe It at its rear or inner side. Support for the frame [9 at itsfront or outer side is provided by depending legs 4| which carry floorengaging casters 42 and are preferably of angle iron cross section andbutt welded to the vertical flanges of the frame bars at the frontcorners of the frame. The legs may be reinforced by gusset plates 43.

In the davenport phase (Figure l) the inner frame l8 extends upwardlyand preferably rearwardly at a suitable angle from the outer frame itand its then upper side has lateral support by means of the rollers 31from the upper ends of the guides 3 The then lower side of the innerframe l8 has direct support from the inner side of the outer frame It bymeans of the hinge connections 33. The outer frame !9 is confined whollybetween the side walls 2, its rear or inner side being supported bymeans of the rollers 40 from the inner end portions of the guides 39 andits front or outer side being supported by the legs ill. The mattresssection 25 is arranged immediately behind the back element 9, its upperportion being confined in the recess provided by the The straightcomponents 35 at their upper top of the back element and the wings l0and its lower portion being confined between the side walls 2. Therebythe mattress section 25 is wholly concealed from view and is supportedby the frame iii in an inclined plane parallel to the plane of theframe. The mattress section 25 provides support for the body portion ofthe back element, 1. e. the portion which extends between the wings 50.It will be noted that the back element 9 in its lowered position has aforward and downward inclination from top to bottom which conforms tothe inclination of the mattress section 25 and which has a degree ofangularity that is conducive to comfort. The frame it occupies a planewhich is common to the plane of the guides 39. Thereby the frame It hasa rearward and slightly downward inclination and the mattress section 26has a similar rearward and downward inclination. The low-er side of theback element 9 is immediately above the mattress sec tion 26 and thelower portion of the back element 9 is located in front of the lowerportion of the mattress section 25 and behind the seat cushions 4d whichthe mattress section supports. The rearward and downward inclination ofthe frame is in the davenport phase which results in a similarinclination of the seat cushions at a suitable angle to the inclinedback element 9 promotes comfort in the use of the article as a settee ordivan.

In the bed phase (Figure 2) the inner or rear side of the outer frame isis supported by the rollers is from the front end portions of the guides39 and the outer or front side of the frame i9 is supported by the legsii from the floor. As thus supported the outer frame is has a trulyhorizontal position which results in the horizontal positioning of themattress section 25. The inner frame i8 is supported at its then rearside by the rollers 3? from the lower end portions of the guides 34(Figures 2 and 9) and at its front or inner side is directly supportedfrom the frame !9 by means of the hinge connections 33. Thereby theframe it occupies a truly horizontal plane which is coincident with theplane X (Figure 1) with the resultant positioning of the mattresssection 25 in a plane truly horizontal and which may be considered as anextension of the plane of the mattress section 26. The mattress providedby the sections 25 and 25 is of ample width and affords a flat andsubstantially uninterrupted supporting surface upon which the bedclothesmay be arranged.

When the article is to be converted from the davenport phase to the bedphase the seat cushions M are removed and the back element 9 is raisedto a suitable extent about its hinges 12 as shown in broken lines inFigure 2. In the pre ferred embodiment herein illustrated the initialphase of the extension of the frames 58 and h is effected by gravity,thereby facilitating the conversion and reducing the physical effort. Asextending upwardly and rearwardly and thereby because of the favorableangularity of its position the frame it under its own weight, and aidedby the vertical component of the weight of the mattress section 25, hasan initial movement which is transmitted to the frame i9 and themattress section 26 which it supports. This movement of the frame it isof compound character, its rear sid having a component of downwardsliding movement in the direction of the straight components 35 of therails 3s and a component of forward pivotal movement about the axes ofthe rollers 3?. The pivotal movement is prescribed by the connection ofthe frame l8 through the hinges 33 to the frame i9 and results from thefact that the inner or then lower side of the frame it follows the innerside of the frame l3 as it travels outward by means of the rollers ii]along the guide rails 38.

The initial movement of the frames l8 and is as effected by gravity maybe ultimately arrested by suitable counterpoise means which mayconveniently consist of helical springs 45 arranged adjacent the innerfaces of the side walls 2 with their ends connected to brackets 45 and41, the brackets 45 being mounted upon the lower bar of the back frame land the brackets '1 being attached to and depending from the end bars 23of the frame l5, At the start of the gravityeffected movement of theframes l3 and I9 the springs d5 are relatively loose, that is to say arenot under tension. As the outward movement of the frame i9 continues thesprings 55 are gradually and progressively tensioned until a degree isreached at which the extension of the frames by gravity will bearrested. At such time the operator inserts his hand under the mattresssection at its front side and grasps the front side bar 22 of thesection I9, using this bar as a handle and pulling the section I 9outward to the full permissible extent. ihe section 18 follows thesection if! in such movement and at the completion of its movementoccupies a horizontal plane in which it is supported by the lower endportions of the guides through the rollers 3! and by the hingeconnections 33, all as above explained. The physical effort required tomove the mattress sections to their fully extended positions iscomparatively slight, due in part to the lightness of the tension of thesprings 55 and in greater part to the favorable outline of the path ofmovement of the rollers 37 of the frame [8, this outline beingcharacterized by the comparatively gentle curvature and forwarddirection of the curved components 35 of the guides 34 and their mergerwithout any sharp angularity with the lower ends of the straightcomponents 35 of the guides 34.

The mattress section 25 has no movement relative to the frame 5 andparticipates in its movements during conversion to either phase. Thereby, through the hinge connection 3 I, the mattress section 25 inconversion to the bed phase exerts a pulling action upon the mattresssection 25 with resultant movement thereof relatively to the frame H3 ina direction toward the inner side bar 25. tended the mattress section 25rests squarely upon the frame H3. The sliding action of the mattresssection 25 relatively to the frame [8 may be facilitated by facing thehorizontal flanges of the frame bars 20 and 2| with plywood (unnecessaryto illustrate). The frame bars 22 and 23 of the frame l9 may besimilarly faced with plywood in order to insure the true coplanarrelation of the sections 25 and 25 in the bed phase.

In the davenport phase the weight of the frame It and the mattresssection 25 which is utilized to initiate the extension movement of theframes is opposed by a suitable latch which positively maintains theparts in davenport relation. When the frames are extended to the limitof their outward movement in the conversion to the bed phase the tensionof the springs d5 is opposed by a latch which positively maintains theframes at the outward limit of their extension mover When the frames l3and I9 are fully exment as shown in Figure 2. The latching action iseffected automatically and the unlatching action is effected manually.

The latching elements are operatively connected to a pivotally hungpanel board 58 which is arranged at the front of the structure and, asshown, may be coextensive in length with the mattress supporting frameE9. The board 56 is provided at its ends adjacent its upper edge(Figures 1 and 7) with inwardly projecting ears 9 to accommodate pivotpins 55 by which it is connected to the forward ends of the end bars 23of the frame IS. The board it also has value from the standpoint ofappearance in that it extends below the frame is to a line quite closeto the casters t2 and thereby, in the davenport phase, conceals the legs4i and the parts below the frame 59. The board 58 is preferably coveredwith finishing material of the same and color that is used for the restof the structure. The pivotal suspension of the board is utilized inconnection with the action of the latch mechanism for which reason it isnecessary that the board he maintained in a normal plane coincident, asa matter of appearance, with the common plane of the legs 8. This isconveniently accomplished by opposed inner and outer helical compressionsprings 5i and 52 which are preferably provided in connection with eachof the legs 4|. The springs of each pair are respectively arrangedadjacent the inner and outer faces of the front flanges of the leg liand are mounted upon a stem 53 carried by and projecting rear wardlyfrom the board 43, the front flange of the associated leg 5! having anopening for the accommodation of the stem and which is of suitablylarger diameter. At its rear end the stem carries a washer 54 which isbacked by a securing nut. The spring 5! reacts against the washer .54and the inner face of the front flange of the leg 4| and the spring 52reacts against the board 48 and the outer face of the front flange ofthe leg 4|.

In the construction preferred a movable ele ment 55 (Figure 10) iscommon to both latch mechanisms, this element being of L-shaped outlineand having a rearwardly projecting arm 55 and a downwardly projectingarm 5?. The element 55 is pivotally mounted between cars 53 which arecarried by the inner or rear side bar 22 of the frame is and projectbelow the frame. The ears 58 are located approximately at the center ofthe bar 22 and the pivot 59 of the element 55 is located at the elbowformed by the junction of the arms 56 and 5'5. The arm 53 at its lowerend is pivoted to a link 55 by which it is operatively connected to theboard 53, the opposite or forward end of the link being secured with ameasure of loose play to a bracket 5i attached to the board &8 adjacentits inner face. When the board 48 is swung outward from its normalposition the arm 55 is lowered about its pivot 59 and when swung inwardthe arm 55 is raised. The arm 55 is formed for cooperation with keepers52 and 53 (Figures 10 and 11), the keeper 62 being attached to the lowercross bar of the frame I and providing a shoulder and the keeper 53being attached to the transverse brace member 5 and provided with atooth lilze shoulder 65 having its upper surface of inclined camoutline. The arm 55 is provided with a terminal hook 66 for engagementbehind the shoulder 64 and with a laterally projecting finger or forengagement behind the shoulder 55. In the davenportphase the arm 55cooperates with the keeper 62 and when the frames l8 and H! are at theextreme limit of their extension movement during their conversion to thebed phase the arm 55 cooperates with the keeper 53.

In the conversion to the bed phase the seat cushions 44 are removed andthe back element 9 is then raised as above explained. Thereupon theoperator grasps the lower portion of the board 48 and pulls it outwardagainst the pressure of the springs This outward movement is very slightin degree but is sufiicient to lower the arm 55 (which at that timeextends below the shoulder 64) until the hook G6 is moved beyond andbelow the shoulder 64. Thereupon the frame [8 immediately becomesself-active in initiating the gravity-effected phase of the extensionmovement of the connected supporting frames, all as above explained.

The element 55 participates in the movement of the frame [9 and as theframe, under the pull of the operator, nears the extreme limit of itsoutward or extension movement (which is prescribed by the engagement ofthe rollers 3! against the blocks 38 as shown in Figure 9) the finger 5?(the arm 55 being maintained in a mean position by the springs 52 and53) will ride over the cammed upper edge of the shoulder 65. As theframe 19 reaches its extreme limit of outward movement the finger 5?passes beyond the shoulder 55 and the arm 55 drops, engaging the finger6'! behind the shoulder. Thereby both frames are held, in opposition tothe tension of the springs 5, at the extreme limit of their outwardmovement. This relationship is shown in Figures 2 and 10.

The limit of the outward extension movement of the frames I8 and I9 isselected to permit the last step in the conversion of the bed phase,namely the movement of the back element 9 by the operator from itsraised position to its fully lowered position in which the wings Illabut the inclined front faces of the blocks H, the back element in suchmovement clearing the mattress section 25. The back element 9 is shownin its lowered position in Figure 2 and, with the frames i8 and is heldat the extreme limit of their outward movement, a space S intervenesbetween the rear vertical face of the mattress section and the adjacentlower portion of the back element 9.. This space promotes convenience inarranging the bedclothes. When this has been done the operator effectsthe final step in the conversion to the bed phase. For the purpose ofthis final step the guides 34 terminate in relatively short and straightextensional components 68 (Figure 9) with which the curved components 35merge at their lower ends, the components 58 being substantiallyparallel to the guides 39. In the final step of the conversion to thebed phase the operator grasps the lower portion of the board 48 andpushes it inward against the pressure of the springs 52. This inwardmovement is very slight in degree but is sufficient to raise the arm 56(which at that time extends above the keeper 53) until the finger ii! ismoved beyond above the shoulder 65. Thereupon the springs immediatelyact to effect a rearward movement of the frames i8 and I9 which occludesthe space S and is arrested by the lower portion of the back element 9,this rearward movement being sufilciently indicated in Figure 2 by thebroken line Y. When the frames [8 and ie have been moved back to theposition indicated by the line Y they will assume relative positions inwhich they are substantially in a common horizontal plane. With theframes positioned as indicated by the line Y the springs 45 will remainunder tension and thereby serve an added advantage, viz., of causing theparts of the bedclothing which hang beyond the rear vertical face of themattress section 25 to be, in effect, clamped with an appropriate degreeof pressure between the mattress section 25 and the lower portion of theback element 9.

In conversion from the bed phase to the davenport phase the first stepis to pull the mattress supporting frames back to the limit of theiroutward or extension movement where they are again held by theengagement of the finger 61 with the shoulder 65 of the keeper 63. Theback element 9 is then swung from its lowered position to a raisedposition as indicated in broken lines in Figure 3. The operator thenmanipulates the board 48 to disengage from the keeper 63 at which timethe springs 45 initiate the return movements of the frames l3 and I9.When the tension of the springs 45 decreases to a point where they areno longer effective in moving the frames l 8 and 19 the operator,grasping the front side bar 22 of the frame I9, pushes the frames home,that is to say into the relation shown in Figure 1 and above describedin detail. The physical effort required for this operation iscomparatively slight, due to the direct application of force by theframe l9 to the frame l8 and the easy movements of the rollers 31 fromthe lower to the upper ends of the guides 34 and of the frame It withrelation to its hinges 33 and the axes of the rollers 31. When thereturn or folding movements of the frames l8 and I9 have been completedthe hook 66, by virtue of the springs 5i and 52, is engaged behind theshoulder 64 of the keeper 52 and'positively latches the mattresssupporting frames in their folded relation. During the relative swingingof the frames I8 and iii in the final stage of their return movement themattress section 26 pushes the mattress section 25. Since the mattresssections have a suitable degree of yielding capacity and their casingsare flexible they readily assume the relationship shown in Figure 1 inwhich the mattress section 25 in effect rests upon the inner portion ofthe mattress section 26 as a bottom support, the pivot 3| by reason ofthe yielding capacity of the sections and the flexibility of theircasings being shifted to a short extent to meeting points along theinner or then bottom face of the mattress section 25 and along the topface of the section 26. When the supporting frames [8 and I9 arecompletely folded and latched the back element 9 is restored to itsfully lowered position and the seat cushions 44 are replaced upon themattress section 26.

The invention has been shown and described as a davenport bed for thereason that its use in this capacity will be its principal use. However,in the furniture industry another convertible article of furniture isknown as a sleep chair and is an article which can be converted from achair to a single bed. Generally speaking davenport beds and sleepchairs may be constructed to operate with similar parts and on similarprinciples. It will, therefore, be understood that the term "davenportis used herein and in the claims as a matter of convenience and with theintent of encompassing a davenport strictly so called or a chair.

I claim:

1. An article of furniture having davenport and bed phases of useincluding, in combination, a

supporting element consisting of a vertical back frame and end wallsconnected nd braced by the back frame, inner and outer rectangularmattress supporting frames movably mounted between the end walls andeach having side bars extending at right angles to the end walls andend. bars extending parallel to the end walls, hinge connection betweenthe adjacent inner side bars of the supporting frames, the outersupporting frame having depending wheel-carrying floor engaging legsadjacent its front side, a first pair of similarly formed and arrangedconfronting guide rails for the inner supporting frame adjacent the endsthereof, a second pair of similarly formed andv arranged confrontingguide rails for the outer supporting. frame adjacent the end thereof,one of the guide rails for each frame being arranged between an end barand an end wall of. the supporting element and being attached to saidend wall, the guide rails of the first pair being positioned with theirupper ends adjacent the back frame and extending from their upper ends,in a direction of forward and downward inclination, the guide rails ofthe second pair being straight and extending from the front of the sidewalls rearwardly at a slight downward inclination to, points below theguide rails of, the first pair, the guide rails of the second pair andthe said floor engaging, legs cooperating to hold the outer mattresssupporting frame in a position in the davenport phase in which itprovides support for the seat cushions and also cooperating to supportit for movement ina forward or rearward directionv according to thephase to which the article is to be converted, the lower terminalportions of the guide rails of the first pair being located above andinadjoining relation to the guide rails ofv the second pair and being in acommon horizontal plane with the forward ends of the guide rails of thesecond pair, the end bars of the supporting frames being provided withrollers which track in the guide rails of the respective pairs, theinner supporting frame in the davenport phase extending in an upwardand, rearward direction from the inner side of the outer supportingframe with its upper portion by means of itsv rollers receiving lateralsupport from the guide rails of the first pair and its lower portion bymeans of the hinge connections receiving direct supportfrom the innerside of the outer supporting frame, the frames being simultaneouslyforwardly movable; in the conversion from the davenport phase to the bedphase and rearwardly movable in the conversion from the bed phase to thedavenport phase, the frames upon the completion of the conversion to thebed phase being in a common horizontal plane, the movement of the innerframe in either direction between its positions in the davenport phaseand the bed phase having pivotal components about the axes of the hingeconnections and. of its rollers, the outer frame in the bed phase havingits inner side supported by the front end portions of the guide rails ofthe second pair and the inner frame in the bed phase having its outerside supported inthe terminal portions of the guide rails of thefirstpair, the forward and downward inclination of the guide rails ofthe first pair and the angular relation of the mattress supportingframes in the davenport phase being such that the inner mattresssupporting frame is movable by gravity to initiate the forward movementof the frames in conversion to the bed phase, and manually releasablemeans acting in the davenport phase in opposition to the weight of theinner mattres supporting frame'for maintaining the mattress supportingframes in their positions of angular relation in the davenport phase.

2. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 1 wherein separateouter and inner mattress sections are mounted upon the respective outerand inner supporting frames and at their adjacent sides and at a pointadjacent their supporting surfaces are connected together in a mannerwhich will permit their relative swinging movement, the outer mattresssection being immovable upon the outer supporting frame and. the innermattress section during the conversion from either phase of use to theother having a sliding movement upon the inner supporting frame ineither direction of the end bars of such frame, the connection betweenthe mattress sections causing the outer mattress section to exert a pullupon the inner mattress section during the conversion from the davenportphase to the bed phase and permitting the outer mattress section toextend under the inner side of the inner mattress section in thedavenport phase, the outer mattress section at such time providingbottom support for the inner mattress section.

3. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 1 wherein thesupporting element is provided with a forwardly extending top rail,separate outer and inner mattress sections are mounted upon therespective outer and inner supporting frames, and an upholstered backelement is hingedly connected at its upper side to the front edge of thetop rail and is movable between raised and lowered positions, the backelement occupying its lower position in both phases and in the davenportphase extending in front of and concealing, the inner mattress section,the outer edge of the back element in the davenport phase being aboveand adjacent the upper surface of the outer mattress section.

4. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 1 wherein thesupporting element is provided with a forwardly extending top rail andwith blocks located under the top rail and adjacent the back frame, theblocks forming functional upward continuations of the side walls,separate outer and inner mattress sections are mounted upon therespective outer and inner supporting frames, and an upholstered backelement is hingedly connected at its upper side to th front edge of thetop rail and is movable between raised and lowered positions, the backelement having rearwardly' extending wings at its ends which in thelower position of the back element adjoin the front faces of the blocks,the wings and the top of the back element providing a recess, the backelement occupying its lower position in both phases and in its lowerposition in the davenport phase having its portion beyond the wingsextending between the. sidewalls, the inner mattress in the davenportphase being located behind and concealed by the back element andextending into the recess, the outer edge of the back element in thedavenport phase being above and adjacent the upper surface of the outermattress section, and the inner supporting frame, the inner mattresssection and the back element extending from their upper ends at similardegrees of' forward and downward inclination, the portion of the backelement between the wings receiving support from the inner mattresssection.

5.. An article, of furniture as set forth in claim I wherein a. mattressis mounted upon the supporting frames, an upholstered back element isconnected to the supporting element for movement between raised andlowered positions, and the frames have an extreme limit of extensionmovement which enables the back element to be moved to its loweredposition clear of the mattress and which provides a space between therear side of the mattress and the back element, such space afiordingfacility in the arrangement of the bedclothes, the supporting framesbeing movable in the conversion to the bed phase from the extreme limitof their extension movement to a position wherein the space is occludedand the mattress adjoins the lower portion of the back element andcooperates with it in clamping the bed clothing.

6. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 1 wherein a mattress ismounted upon the supporting frames, an upholstered back element isconnected to the supporting element for movement between raised andlowered positions, the frames have an extreme limit of extensionmovement which enables the back element to be moved to its loweredposition clear of the mattress and which provides a space between therear side of the mattress and the back element, such space affordingfacility in the arrangement of the bedclothes, the supporting framesbeing movable in the conversion to the bed phase from the extreme limitof their extension movement to a position wherein the mattress occludesthe space and adjoins the lower portion of the back element, manuallyreleasable means is provided for latching the frames at the extremelimit of their extension movement, and means is provided which isoperable with tension effect when the latching means is disengaged tomove the frames backward, thereby to occlude the space and to cause themattress to abut the back element and also to cause the mattress and theportion of the back element behind it to act with clamping effect uponthe parts of the bed clothes which hang beyond the inner face of themattress.

7. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 1 wherein the angularposition of the inner supporting frame in the davenport phase is suchthat said frame will act by gravity to initiate the extension movementof the frames in the conversion from the davenport to the bed phase,manually releasable means is provided for latching the frames in thepositions which they occupy in the davenport phase, yieldablecounterpoise means is connected to the supporting element and to one ofthe frames for limiting the extension movement of the frames as effectedby gravity at a stage prior to its completion, a mattress is mountedupon the supporting frames, an upholstered back element is connected tothe supporting element for movement between raised and loweredpositions, the frames having an extreme limit of extension movementwhich enables the back element to be moved to its lowered position clearof the mattress and which provides a space between the rear side of themattress and the back element, such space affording facility in thearrangement of the bed clothes, the supporting frames being movable inthe conversion to the bed phase from the extreme limit of theirextension movement to a position wherein the mattress occludes the spaceand adjoins the lower portion of the back element, and manuallyreleasable means is provided for latching the frames at the extremelimit of their extension movement, the counterpoise means beingoperative when the last named latching mean is disengaged to move theframe backward to occlude the space and to cause the mattress to abutthe back element and also to cause the mattress and the portion of theback element behind the mattress to act with clamping effect upon theparts of the bed clothes which hang beyond the inner face of themattress.

8. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 1 wherein the angularposition of the inner supporting frame in the davenport phase is suchthat said frame will act by gravity to initiate the extension movementof the frames in the conversion from the davenport to the bed phase,manually releasable means including a movable latching element isprovided for latching the frames in the positions which they occupy inthe davenport phase, a panel board is hingedly connected to the outermattress frame adjacent its front side bar and is pendant from the frameand conceals the legs, spring means is provided for holding the board ina mean position wherein the movable latching element is operative, and alink connects the board and the movable latching element.

9. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 1 wherein the angularposition of the inner supporting frame in the davenport phase is suchthat said frame will act by gravity to initiate the extension movementof the frames in the conversion from he davenport to the bed phase,yieldably counterpoise means is connected to the supporting element andto one of the frames for limiting the extension movement of the framesas effected by gravity at a stage prior to its com-- pletion, a mattressis mounted upon the supporting frames, an upholstered back element isconnected to the supporting element for movement between raised andlowered positions, the frames having an extreme limit of extensionmovement which enables the back element to be moved to its loweredposition clear of the mattress and which provides a space between therear side of the mattress and the back element, such space affordingfacility in the arrangement of the bed clothes, the supporting framesbeing movable in the conversion to the bed phase from the extreme limitof their extension movement to a position wherein the mattress occludesthe space and adjoins the lower BGIlJlOl'l of the back element, a firstmeans is provided for latching the frames in the positions which theyoccupy in the davenport phase, a second means is provided for latchingthe frames at the extreme limit of their extension movement, the twolatching means including a common movable latchin element, a panel boardis hingedly connected to the outer mattress frame adjacent it front sideand is pendant from the frame and conceals the legs. spring means isprovided for holding the board in a mean position wherein the movablelatching element is operative, and a link conmeets the board and themovable latching element whereby the board may be moved manually inopposition to said spring means in order to effect a disengagingmovement of the movable latching element in connection with either ofthe latching means.

10. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 9 wherein the panelboard carries rearwardly projecting stems, the legs are formed withopenings through which the stem projects, the spring means in eachinstance includes a pair of compression springs mounted on the stem andarranged respeotively adjacent the front and rear sides of the leg, anda collar is provided at the inner end of the stem, one of thecompression springs reacting between the outer face of the leg and theinner face of the panel boardand the other compression spring reactingbetween the inner face of the leg and the collar.

11'. An article of furniture asset forth in claim 9 wherein the panelboard carries rearwardl'y projecting stems, the legs are ferried: withopenings through which the stem projects, the spring means ineachinstance includes a pair of com-- pression springs mounted on the stemand ar ranged respectively adjacent the iron-tend rear sides of he legs,a collar is provided at the inner end of the stem, one of thecompression springs reacting between the outer face of the leg andtheinner face the panel board and the other compression spring reactingbetween the inner face of the leg and the collar, the first and secondlatching means each includes a latching shoulder, the common movablelatching element engaging the latching shoulder of the first latchingmeans from below engaging the latching shoulder of the seco: cl latchingmeans from above, the panel board is movable about its hinges in onedirection to cause the movable latching element to disengage theshoulder of the first latching means and in the opposite direction tocause the movable latching element to disengage the shoulder of thesecond latchin means.

12. An article of furniture having davenport and bed phases of useincluding, in combination, a supporting element consisting of a verticalback frame and end walls connected and braced by the back frame, innerouter rectangular mattress supporting frames movably mounted between theend walls and each having side bars extending at right angles to the endwalls and end bars extending parallel to the end walls, the outersupporting frame having wheel carrying fioor engaging legs adjacent itsfront side, hinge connections between the adjacent inner side bars ofthe supporting frames and which at all times serve for the directsupport of the inner frame by the outer frame, separate outer and innermattress sections mounted upon and movable with the supporting frames,an upholstered back element connected to the supporting element formovement between raised and lowered positions, and means of support andguidance for the supporting frame operatively connected to thesupporting element and to the supporting frames, such means being at alltimes operative within the confines of the supporting element andcooperative With the hinge connections and the legs and being opera e inthe davenport phase to h as inner sup =rting frame in a position inwhich it extends upwardly from the outer supporting frame and in whichthe inner mattress section which it supports is behind and concealed bythe back element in its lowered position and furnishes direct supportfor the back element in its lowered position to hold the outersupporting frame in a position in which it projects forwardly from theinner supporting frame with the outer mattress section adjoining theinner mattress section and serving as the direct support for seatcushions placed in front of the back element, the means being operativein the conversion of the bed phase to cause a forward direction ofmovement of the outer supporting frame and an accompanying movement ofthe inner supporting frame with forwardly directed rect inear andpivotal components and being operative upon the completion of theconversion to the bed phase to hold the supporting frames horizontallyco-planar with the mattress secdone, the supporting frames:v beingmovable; in reverse order in conversion to the davenport phase and themeans being operative upon the supporting frames similarly but inreverse order during their movement in conversion to the d-avenpo-rtphase.

13. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 12" wherein theangular position of the inner supporting frame in the davenport phasethat-said frame will act by gravity to initiate the extension movement.of the frames in the conversion from. the: d'avenport to the bed phase,and a manually releasable element is provi for latching the frames inthe positions Whibil they occupy'in the davenport phase) 14. An articleof furniture as set forth in claim 12 wherein the'separate outer andinner iattress sections are connected together at their adjacent sidesand at a point adjacent their supporting surfaces in a manner which willpermit their relative swinging movement, the O1 mattress section isimm'ovably mounted upon the outer supporting frame and the innermattress section is sl'idably mounted upon the inner supporting frameand during conversion from either phase of use to the other has asliding movement upon the inner supporting frame in either direction ofthe end bars of such frame, the connection between the mattress sectioncausing. the outer: mattress section to exert a pull upon the innermattress section during the conversion from the davenport phase to thebed phase and permitting the outer mattress section to extend under theinner side of the inner mattress section in the davcnpo'rt phase, theouter mattress section at such time providing bottom support for theinnor mattress section.

15'. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 12 wherein theangular position of the inner supporting frame with respect to the outersupporting frame in the davenport phase is such that said innersupporting frame will tend to act by gravity to initiate the extensionmovement of the frames in conversion to the be phase and the means forthe support and guidance of the supporting. frames consists of a firstpair of fixed confronting guide rails for the inner supporting frameextending forwardly and downwardly from points adjacent the back frameof thesup-porting element, a second pair of fixed straight confrontingguide rails for the outer supporting frame having their inner portionsbelow and in. adjoining relation to the lower terminals of the guiderails of the first pair and projecting forwardly from the guide rails ofthe first pair with their outer ends in horizontally coplanar relationto the lower terminals of the guide rails of the first pair, the guiderails being severally secured to the end walls of the supportingelement, and rollers provided at the ends of each supporting frame andtracking in the companion guide rails of' the frames.

16". An article of furniture as set forth in claim 12 wherein the meansfor the support and guidance of the mattress supporting frames includesa stop cooperating with a part carried by one of the frames andpositioned to limit the movement of the frames in conversion to the bedphase at a point in which they are. horizontally coplanar and the innerframe is positioned to permit the back element to be swung downwardlyclear of the inner mattress section to its fully lowered position inwhich its lower portion is behind the rear vertical face of the innermattress section, the back elementand the rear vertical 17 face of theinner mattress section in the position of the frames so limiteddelimiting a space which affords facility in the arrangement of the bedclothes, the frames when the back element is lowered being movable inthe opposite direction from the position so limited and in horizontallyco-planar relation, thereby to occlude the space and to cause the innermattress section to abut the lower portion of the back element as a stopfor such retrograde movement of the frames, the rear vertical face ofthe inner mattress section being then in adjoining relation to the lowerportion of the back element and the inner mattress section therebycooperating with the back element in exercising clamping pressure uponthe portions of the bed clothes which were introduced into the space.

STANLEY A. GREEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,078,908 Fischrupp Nov. 18, 19131,166,315 Bell Dec. 28, 1915 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 710,181France June 1, 1931 746,856 France Mar. 14, 1933 420,640 Great BritainDec. 5, 1934 58,518 Norway Oct. 11, 1937

